How Jameela Jamil Is the Social Activist We Need Right Now
Known for her role of fashionable socialite Tahani Al-Jamil in The Good Place, Jameela Jamil is no stranger to social media. Outspoken about social issues plaguing society today, Jamil has been known for taking to Twitter to highlight injustice and problematic portrayals in media.
Later this year, Jamil will host upcoming ballroom culture reality series Legendary. This move sparked outrage online for casting what people assumed was 鈥渁 straight woman鈥� in a series about queer culture. This forced Jamil to come out as queer before she was ready. Unfortunately, all too well-known for many LGBTIQ+ people around the world.
Looking back on her decision to open up about her sexuality, Jamil regretted the way in which she came out to the public. 鈥淚t was just an outburst. That was not well handled. I鈥檓 human and I snapped! If I could go back I would have done it at a different time.鈥�
Forced to come out by public scrutiny, Jamil has learned to hold her head up high. Speaking with Variety Live, Jamil states 鈥淚 have never felt like my private life is mine alone.鈥� She continued, 鈥淚鈥檝e been trying to grapple with how to handle that for so long because I don鈥檛 like having my love life scrutinised.鈥�
Taking strides in openness and inclusivity, Jameela Jamil has taken precautions to ensure people continue to celebrate who they are and what they have done. Through the creation of the social movement I Weigh, Jamil has created a safe space online for people to talk openly about their issues.
Now on the eve of her first I Weigh podcast, Jamil has continued to heighten her voice in Hollywood. Featuring guests Beanie Feldstein, Matt McGorry, Neal Brennan and Gloria Steinem, her first of many episodes will focus on the topic of shame and they journey it takes towards progress.
As something that hits close to home, Jamil has been outspoken over how she has 鈥渨restled with shame鈥� over her sexuality for many years. This is heightened by how LGBTIQ+ people aren鈥檛 quite accepted within her South Asian background. 鈥淭here isn鈥檛 a lot of conversation about it. There isn鈥檛 a lot of acceptance for it within my culture, traditionally.鈥�
Although she may continue to herald backlash over social media, Jameela Jamil remains boisterous. Taking a no holds barred approach to inequality, Jamil now and forever will continue to use her platform to speak for the people and issues that don鈥檛 have a voice. A strength we need now more than ever.
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